Greats 2

*BOBBY LAKE*	*Forward*	*96 Appearances*
Debut: 22nd January 1978 v. Palmers Green Rangers (Edmonton Sunday League Division 8 Match at Firs Farm) Last Match: 30th January 1983 v. Crown (Edmonton Sunday League Division 3 Match at Pymmes Park)
Diminutive but stockily-built left-footed centre-forward who was always a real 'livewire' in front of goal. Scored a number of spectacular goals for Rovers, but will be remembered mostly for bringing his 'ghetto-blaster' with him to Home matches and annoying the residents in the genteel surroundings of Oakwood Park by blaring out the latest rare 'Jazz-Funk' tunes of that particular era (e.g. 'Bad Mouthin' by Motown Sounds...the one sampled by Spacedust/Bob Sinclair for 'Gym and Tonic') ! Eventually though, the struggle of dragging himself out of bed on a Sunday morning after a hard night's clubbing took it's toll and he 'gave up' playing football half-way through the 1982/83 Season with a move to the Hackney area not helping matters. Now lives in Harlesden and works in the music business as a producer of 'Soulful U.S. Funky House' tunes. ?!

*ALAN LEE*	*Defender*	*157 Appearances*
Debut: 20th November 1977 v. Queensway Athletic (Edmonton Sunday League Division 8 Match at Church Street Rec.) Last Match: 28th April 1985 v. Muswell Hill (Haringey League 'Friendly' Match at Markfield Rec., South Tottenham)
Right-Back of 'Oriental' origin who was brought along to the club by his next-door neighbour Demitrius Nurse in the late-70's. His team-mates found it hard to understand his accent at first, but he soon settled in and became a reliable defender, most notably for the 'B' (Reserve) Team for whom he made the majority of his Rovers Appearances. Like many others he decided to leave the club when the 'B' Team folded and he eventually ended up playing for F.C. Turin in the Edmonton Sunday League with one or two other ex-Rovers players. His son Craig was on the books of both Rushden & Diamonds and Conference side Kettering in the late 90's.

KIERAN Mc,GREGOR	*Midfielder*	*187 Appearances*
Debut: 10th September 1978 v. Barcelona (Edmonton Sunday League Division 8 Match at Grovelands Park) Last Match: 1st March 1992 v. Hollistair (Mercury Waltham League Division 5 Match at Hazelwood Sports Ground)
Irish midfielder who answered an advert for players back in 1978 and subsequently made his debut as a 16-year-old after being 'thrown in at the deep end' because we were struggling to field a team at the time. However, Kieran turned out to be one of Rovers best-ever players (in many people's opinion) as he had a combination of natural skill and technique together with the stamina and fitness to get up and down the pitch. (Most of our other 'Great' players had either one or the other). Really came to the fore by scoring a brilliant last-minute goal in a Cup Final as a 17-year-old in his second season with the club, but he then went to University for 4 years at the start of the 1980/81 Season before returning to play regularly again during Rovers Haringey League era in the mid-80's and this was when he was really at his best. Unfortunately, when Rovers joined the Mercury Waltham Sunday League in 1988 it coincided with Kieran moving to live in France where he played Semi-Professionally, but he did still play the occasional match for Rovers whenever he returned to England although his footballing 'career' ended in 1992 when he suffered a badly broken arm in a 5-a-side match in France. Later went to live in the United States for three years but is now back living in Enfield where he is now a Borough Councillor representing the Save Chase Farm Hospital campaign.

ROBERT Mc,MAHON	*Midfielder*	*161 Appearances*
Debut: 26th September 1976 v. St. Josephs Orphanage (Friendly Match at Pymmes Park) Last Match: 27th February 1983 v. Brahmin (Edmonton Sunday League Division 8 Match at the Barrass Surround)
Tough-tackling and competitive midfielder who was brought along to the club by his work colleague Jerome Burnikell (Both were chefs at Firs Hall at the time). Although his ball control and natural ability wasn't the greatest, he did manage to score the occasional spectacular goal. However, he gradually became disillusioned after a clash of personalities with some of his team-mates (i.e. Mc,Mahon wanted the whole team to go down the pub after matches, but Rovers many black players at the time preferred to buy their post match drinks in an off-license and be 'streetwise' with it !), so this saw him turn out for the 'B' (Reserve) Team during his last season with the club until he left (along with Burnikell and one or two others). Now lives in Cambridge.

DEMITRIUS NURSE	*Defender*	*354 Appearances*
Debut: 20th November 1977 v. Queensway Athletic (Edmonton Sunday League Division 8 Match at Church Street Rec.) Last Match: 4th April 1993 v. Old Bulls Head (Mercury Waltham League Division 5 Match at Hazelwood Sports Ground)
Solidly-built central defender of Grenadan descent who made his debut as a 16-year-old in a 15-2 defeat ! Went on to notch up a club record number of Appearances in an unbroken spell of loyalty right up until the early 90's when a combination of old age and family commitments finally forced him to retire. Was never the most mobile of players because he had to have a number of operations on a leg problem in his schooldays which resulted in a steel pin being inserted, but he got by on effort and determination and this saw him become a distinguished Club Captain and eventual Team Manager. Is now a club Life Vice-President and a successful businessman with his Company Select Financial Solutions Ltd. Is also now Manager of Chase Side Youth Under-11's for whom his son James plays.

JULIEN NURSE	*Forward or Midfielder*	*260 Appearances*
Debut: 11th February 1979 v. Cherry Tree (Edmonton Sunday League Division 8 Match at Oakwood Park) Last Match: 28th April 1991 v. Cuffley (Mercury Waltham League Division 4 Match at Cuffley F.C.)
Younger brother of Demitrius but much more 'athletic', hence his favoured position as an attacking central midfield player from which he scored the majority of his club record 188 Goals. Made his debut just two weeks before his 14th birthday, making him by far the youngest player ever to play for Rovers - in fact he even scored in that match (a 10-2 victory) ! Then went on to make four more Appearances before he turned 16, but thereafter he became a First Team regular until the 1990/91 Season when he started to concentrate on Senior Saturday football with Ryman (Isthmian) League side Leyton-Wingate (now Waltham Forest) and more recently Crouch End Vampires First XI in the Southern Amateur League. However, Julien was later forced into retirement due to a bad Achilles injury and had to abandon his idea of a possible comeback for Rovers in what was the 'veteran' stage of his career. Also works for Select Financial Solutions Ltd. with his brother Demitrius.

TONY O'DRISCOLL	*Defender or Midfielder*	*115 Appearances*
Debut: 28th April 1985 v. Muswell Hill (Haringey League 'Friendly' Match at Markfield Rec., South Tottenham) Last Match: 13th August 1995 v. Upshire (Friendly Match at Town Mead, Waltham Abbey)
A typical Sunday Morning Footballer ! (i.e. Good ball control and ability learnt while on the books of a professional club as a youngster - in his case Leyton Orient - but a bad lack of fitness, although he did manage to have the occasional game for various 'Semi-Pro' clubs despite his 'weight problem'). Made his Rovers debut after being brought along to the club by his work colleague Julien Nurse and quickly gained 'notoriety' as the club 'dressing room joker', although on the pitch he was a useful defensive midfielder and was the first player to be used on a regular basis in the 'holding role' which is so vital to Rovers game today. 'Retired' in 1995 because of fitness problems and continual disagreements with whoever happened to be Manager at the time, 'Tod' (as he is more commonly known) still keeps in touch by D.J.ing at various Rovers players functions. Is now involved in Youth Football on Sundays.

*LEE OSBORN*	*Defender or Midfielder*	*168 Appearances*
Debut: 23rd August 1992 v. Komi-Kebir (Pre-Season Friendly Match at Picketts Lock Astroturf) Last Match: 17th April 2005 v. Tolmers (Mercury Waltham Sunday League Division 4 Match at Enfield Playing Fields)
Spent a season or two watching Rovers matches from the touchline before deciding to 'take the plunge' in August 1992 and join up with his former Edmonton County School colleagues on the pitch and by the end of his first season he had established a regular place in the side at left-back, having started in a left-sided midfield position (and scoring one or two 'spectacular' goals as well !) Retired from football altogether in October 1995 because of increasing family commitments, but decided to re-join at the start of the 2000/2001 Season, initially to 'help us out if we were short'. 'Ossie' then managed to lose a lot of weight and become one of our fittest players though, while he also had a useful attribute of being able to kick the ball with both feet and that saw him able to play in a wide defensive or midfield position on either side of the field. However, lapses in concentration saw him lose his place in the First Team squad during Season 2002-2003 and the Reserve Team was then re-formed mainly for his benefit. However, a disastrous 2004-2005 campaign for the Reserves saw Ossie decide to leave the club and join Division Four side F.C. Vasco. Will always be best known at Rovers for his non-stop talking, his unnecessary post-match 'rants' and making a fool of himself on video during matches in an 'effort' to get on 'Clip Of The Week' !

STEVE PLATT	*Midfielder*	*49 Appearances*
Debut: 22nd December 1991 v. Cheshunt Park Reserves (Mercury Waltham Sunday League Division 5 Match at Flamstead End Playing Fields, Cheshunt Last (Competitive) Match: 3rd May 1994 v. v. Oakwood United (Mercury Waltham League Div. 5 Match at Enfield Playing Fields)
Better known by his nickname of 'Willie' (due to his apparent habit of 'flashing' in nightclubs when drunk !). Made what was undoubtedly the most memorable debut in the history of the club when he scored a brilliant hat-trick against Cheshunt Park Reserves which helped Rovers to their first win in 17 competitive matches and gave them the impetus to continue when they were on the brink of folding up ! Unfortunately his Rovers career was almost a mirror image of Paul Gascoigne's, both on and off the pitch, as a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained while scoring the equalizer in a 4-4 draw against Oakwood United in 1994 was made worse by 'nightclub incidents', although the main reason 'Willie' has not played for Rovers since is because he has to look after his young daughter Poppy (Poppy Platt ?!) on Sunday mornings. However, many of his former Rovers colleagues fear that his knee will not 'hold out' if he ever does make a comeback and it appears to be a sad loss of potential 'greatness' for the club.

GLENN POOLEY	*Forward or Winger*	*175 Appearances*
Debut: 31st August 1976 v. Cheshunt Youth (Friendly Match at Cheshunt F.C.) Last Match: 24th April 1988 v. Panthers (Haringey League Tottenham Cup Semi-Final Replay at Albany Park)
Another founder-member who played in the very first match, but throughout his 12 years with the club he missed numerous games because of his studies for accountancy exams, although erratic 'moodswings' also saw him lose interest for months at a time and restrict his number of appearances, with his 'Jewish Dentist' excuse being a particularly feeble and laughable reason for his many absences. A highly skilful and talented left-sided attacking player capable of scoring some outrageous goals, Glenn still holds the First Team record for Most Goals in a Season with a total of 49, a record which is unlikely to be broken. 'Retired' prematurely at the age of 27 and later moved to a remote village in Oxfordshire where he still lives with his wife.

GIUSEPPE SARNO	*Defender or Goalkeeper*	*110 Appearances*
Debut: 21st November 1982 v. Jolly Butchers (Edmonton Sunday League Division 3 Match at Pymmes Park) Last Match: 6th September 1992 v. A.F.C. Astra (Mercury Waltham Sunday League Division 5 Match at Enfield Playing Fields)
Anglo-Italian Cousin of Francesco Apicella who made his debut as a 17-year-old after being signed up by his work colleague Laurence Hughes to play as a goalkeeper, but 'Joe' (as he was more commonly known) ended up playing more games as an outfield player, mainly in defence or in a defensive midfield position. Was rather an average player and not always a first choice in the starting line-up but accumulated over 100 Appearances in his 10-year spell with the club. However, increasing family and work commitments saw him eventually leave the club in 1992. Is now Manager of W.H.Smith in Waltham Cross.

GARY SOUTHAM	*Defender*	*241 Appearances*
Debut: 5th August 1990 v. White Hart (Friendly Match at Picketts Lock Astroturf) Last Match: 7th October 2001 v. Upshire Coach & Horses (Mercury Waltham Sunday League Division One Match at Larsens Rec.)
Was brought along to the club by his work colleague John Dyer back in 1990 to play as a defender, but actually made his debut as a stand-in goalkeeper, something he was 'prone' to do throughout his Rovers career ! A loyal club player and Management Committee member who was made a Life Vice-President on his 'retirement' - on which his intention was taking up golf , much to the amusement of his former team-mates who spent a number of years criticizing him for his refusal to wear contact lenses during matches. Subsequent mis-kicks because of that will always be what Gary is best remembered for, but few other players put in as much effort and commitment and that made up for any lack of technique. Now spends most of his spare time driving a 'Stretch Limo' and racing his greyhounds.

MITCHELL TAYLOR	*Midfielder*	*118 Appearances*
Debut: 23rd November 1980 v. Vikings (Edmonton Sunday League Division 5 Match at Bush Hill Park) Last Match: 17th November 1985 v. Tollington Park (Haringey Sunday League Division 3 Match at Hackney Marshes Arena)
Long-haired 'competitive midfielder' and 'rock singer' who joined after answering an advert for players - he then brought his fellow 'band members' Adam Bramley and 'B' Team player Martin Wheeler with him, so 'Mitch' was a useful acquisition in more ways than one. Played regularly for 5 seasons, but then became disillusioned after losing his place and decided to leave and give up Sunday football. Then went on to play for various Amateur clubs on Saturdays, mainly in the St. Albans area and now plays both 5-a-side and 7-a-side regularly in Welwyn Garden City in midweek. Is also now Manager of his son's Youth Team in the Watford Friendly League.

MARK TEPPER	*Midfielder*	*104 Appearances*
Debut: 24th August 1980 v. St. Paul's Church (Edmonton Sunday League 'Friendly' Match at the Barrass Surround) Last Match: 24th February 1985 v. Richmond (Haringey League Division 6 Match at Albany Park, Enfield)
Joined (and left) the club with his ex-Edmonton County School and Stag & Hounds drinking colleague Steve Cracknell, playing almost exclusively for the 'B' (Reserve) Team during it's five-year history. Was definitely the 'B' Team's original version of Kevin Dedman in terms of his left-footedness, outstanding natural ability and laid-back attitude and managed to score some outrageous 'Taking the Piss' goals in his time. Left the club when the 'B' Team folded and then went on to play briefly for Percival, but retired from playing competitively soon after that due to a back injury and 'too much beer'. Would have been perfectly suited for Rovers current side. Now lives in Ringwood, Hampshire.

TONY TOMBLING	*Defender*	*155 Appearances*
Debut: 17th September 1978 v. Southgate CTA (Edmonton Sunday League Division 8 Match at Oakwood Park) Last Match: 29th January 1984 v. Bush Hill Rangers (Edmonton Sunday League Divisional Cup Semi-Final at Church Street Rec.)
Another player who joined the club as a result of a newspaper advertisement (at the same time as Kieran Mc,Gregor) and became a loyal and highly useful acquisition as a talented left-back or central defender. Made his debut as a 16-year-old but was renowned for his tackling even then, so much so that he actually played on with a broken leg in one match (against Royal Scot in October 1980). Was one of a number of Rovers players who became frustrated with a lack of team spirit in the First Team in the early-80's and therefore opted to play out his Rovers 'career' in the 'B' Team for Season 1983/84 before leaving the club and eventually moving to live in Cardiff during the 1990's. Is now back living in the Cheshunt area and has been in contact with one or two ex-Rovers players since his return.

IAN WATTS	*Goalkeeper*	*117 Appearances*
Debut: 17th August 1980 v. Finches (Edmonton Sunday League 'Friendly' Match at the Barrass Surround) Last Match: 30th August 1998 v. Accies (Friendly Match at Firs Farm)
Joined Rovers as the 'B' Team's goalkeeper on their formation in 1980, but his impressive performances soon gained him a place in the First Team by the end of the season, especially after becoming the only player in Rovers history to be awarded 10 out of 10 in a match for his performance in a 4-1 win against F.C. Fagans in March 1981 (albeit by skipper Jerome Burnikell in the absence of both Laurence & Trevor Hughes on the day !). However, Ian was another player to 'protest' against the First Team's lack of 'team spirit' by dropping back down to the 'B' Team again half-way through the 1982/83 Season before leaving the club completely at the end of the following season to join F.C. Turin. Cropped up again in the early-90's playing against Rovers as an outfield player for Addison (and getting himself sent off for a crude challenge on Conor Mc,Govern !), before actually making a one-match 'one-off comeback' for us in goal against the Accies in August 1998.

GLENN WEAVER	*Committee Member*	*25 Appearances*
First Match Involvement: 31st August 1976 v. Cheshunt Youth (Friendly Match at Cheshunt F.C.) Last Match Involvement: 6th April 1986 v. Nike (Haringey League Intermediate Cup Final at the Metal Box Ground)
Founder member of the club who intended to be a 'non-player' but ended up having to play in 25 matches as we struggled to field a side during the late-70's. Became 'B' Team Secretary and 'occasional Manager on it's formation and stayed on the club Management Committee for another year after the 'B' Team folded before eventually leaving to run a team for Field End Youth in the Summer of 1986. Is now Chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.